153. Since the ummah has been invested with world leadership, a set of necessary directives is now provided for its guidance. Before laying down these directives it seemed necessary to caution the Muslims that the office which had been conferred on them was indeed no bed of roses. On the contrary, it was a great and perilous responsibility. Once they undertook it, they would be subjected to all kinds of afflictions, put to all kinds of trials and tribulations and made to bear all kinds of deprivation. If, however, the Muslims persisted along the path of God despite the perils they would be rewarded with God's favour in full measure.
154. To acquire the strength that is needed to bear this heavy burden of
responsibility the believers should do two things: they should develop patience
and they should strengthen themselves by devoting themselves to Prayer.
Later we shall encounter elaborations which will show that 'patience' is a word
embracing a whole set of moral virtues of the utmost importance. 'Patience'
is indeed an indispensable key to success. Likewise, we shall later have occasion
to note in some detail how Prayer prepares the Muslims, both as individuals
and as a collective body, to carry out their mission.